Bhopal, July 19 -- The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in a special meeting held in Bhopal's Jagdishpura, with the state government saying the law will ensure equal rights in matters of marriage, inheritance, live-in relationships and religious freedom.

Scheduled Tribes and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) living in protected areas will remain outside its purview.

Under the new provisions, a man entering into a live-in relationship with another woman after marriage will face punishment of up to five years' imprisonment. "Whether Ram or Rahim, the UCC has been brought to ensure equal rights for all," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said after the meeting.

The new law lays down c...